Weinstein Television is developing a miniseries about the deadly 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas, between religious cult leader David Koresh and federal agents.

Michael Shannon has been cast to play real life FBI hostage negotiator Gary Noesener, with Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights") as Koresh. The series is based on two books: “A Place Called Waco" (by former Branch Davidian David Thibodeau) and Noesener's “Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator."

The miniseries has not landed at a network yet. According to Variety, "Weinstein Television is about to shop the package for 'Waco' to TV buyers" and that the series will "examine how law enforcement, media and the rights of individuals collided in a manner that reflect contemporary concerns."

Shannon, of course, previously played a fictional federal agent for five seasons on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." A longtime Chicago theater actor, Shannon starred in playwright Brett Neveu's "Pilgrim's Progress" at A Red Orchid Theatre last fall.

nmetz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @NinaMetzNews

Check out the latest movie reviews from Michael Phillips and the Chicago Tribune.

Check out reviews for all new music releases from Tribune music critic Greg Kot.